An important observation, no doubt. I am wondering if there was a
separate analysis to elicit the percentage of reasons contributing
to the early death with suicide as one of them. I see that
substance abuse, alcohol related disorders are inclusive in the
analyzed list. Though they are part of the mental health disorders;
they tend to coexist with schizophrenia, bipolar, depression and
personality disorders. Is that factored into the calculations? It
is really a vicious circle in mental health scenario. Substance
and alcohol use makes the symptoms worse and confusing. They
contribute to a quick route to grave by themselves. The combination
of that and the medicines to treat the mental diseases can
sometimes be a problem as well. However farther we came as a
society, we cannot ignore the role of social factors and taboo
associated with mental disorders and related substance and alcohol
use..

N. Dickens, MD

08/08/12

This is yet another reason why mental health coverage by insurance
should have parity with other illnesses. Despite passage of the
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and its
supposed implementation beginning January 2010, coverage remains
poor. Our supposedly "good Christian" values can not guide the
U.S. to a compassionate health care system..

This survey is a poll of those who choose to participate and are, therefore, not valid statistical samples, but rather a snapshot of what your colleagues are thinking.

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